What You Need To Know About Buying a Typewriter

Finding the perfect typewriter isn't the easiest task nowadays. Many people find it very challenging, and for a good reason. There are so many different typewriter models, brands, styles, types to choose from, and there are so many different ways to go about purchasing one.

The Basics

- Yes, There Really Is a Market For Typewriters.

﻿Typewriters have made a comeback within the past few years. People still enjoy using them and collecting them, and some even enjoy cleaning and repairing them to keep them typing (like us!)If you think that you're the only one crazy enough to want to buy a typewriter, you are most definitely wrong. On my personal quests to find typewriters, I have lost track of how many times I have asked an antique store owner or someone running a garage sale, "Do you have any typewriters for sale?" and they think for a second before informing me that they did a little while ago, but it sold. As a buyer, you have competition. There's also evidence of this online. You can see some extreme bidding wars on eBay over typewriters. That good "Buy it Now" deal you saw newly listed a few minutes ago may be gone the next few minutes if you don't decide in time. Before this site was setup so you could purchase directly off of the website, I used to have multiple people ready to pay for the same machine, but I had to deliver the tragic news that the typewriter was already sold. So in the end, If you see a good deal, you'd better snag it before someone else does. If you're a newbie, you may be confused as to identify what is considered a good deal, but we will go over that further on in this page.

- It Would Help To Understand The Following:

1. ​Typewriters, both manual and electric, are still made today. However, they probably aren't what you're looking for if you want something vintage and authentic. These include the Royal Epoch, The Royal 11", and the Vermont Country Store Typewriter. ​2. For any typewriter made before the 1970's, you are likely paying more for the vintage and historic value of the machine. Typically, the older you go, the more you will have to pay, especially if you want a typewriter in good condition. Certain models are worth significantly more for other reasons. For example, the Remington 3B is very valuable and collectible because only around 5,000 were ever made in 1935-1936. Therefore it's worth, on average, more than the more common typewriters from the same period, although typewriters from the Great Depression are commonly worth more because of rarity.

The Modern "Vermont Country Store" Typewriter which is manufactured in China and sold on the Vermont Country Store website for $199.95.

3. Typewriters with beautiful glass keys and shiny chrome rings are almost always worth more than typewriters with plastic keys (with certain exceptions) Glass keyed typewriters tend to be a little more rare because they were on older typewriters, but manufacturers switched to plastic because it was cheaper. Less typewriters with glass keys survive today partly because of the dreaded "key choppers." People often chop glass keys off of typewriters and use them for jewelry or other arts/crafts. If you don't believe it, just pay a quick visit to eBay or Etsy and you will find plenty. The bottom line - If you really want a classic typewriter with glass keys, be prepared to spend more.​

- You Need To Know What You Want.

There are two main types of typewriters: Desktops and Portables. The names are very self-explanatory, but they each have their benefits and drawbacks. Think of a portable typewriter as a laptop. On average, they're relatively small, lightweight, but may not perform quite as well. With typewriters, some portables are so small that they lack features to save space. Although this is common on both desktops and portables, the 1 key was often eliminated from the keyboard because the lower case "L" key did the same trick. Some portables also seem a little more fragile and less reliable, although this is not always true. Desktops are extremely heavy and durable. On average, portable run about 15-20 pounds. For an average desktop, expect double that weight. Desktops were made to be placed on a desk and for the most part, be left there. They can take up a lot of space as well. However, desktops are perfect for an office/stay at home writer who wants to do a ton of writing on their machine. Desktops can be used very frequently and can take a lot of abuse. However, they also cost about twice as much to ship if you're buying them online. It's better to buy a desktop locally if possible unless you get a good deal on one. Also take into consideration that portables are definitely more popular than desktops, so you'll have less competition in buying one, and you shouldn't have to pay too much depending on the model and of course, other factors.

You also need to decide what style/era of typewriter you want. The art-deco style featured on 1920's and 1930's models are always valuable and attractive, but some of those machines aren't great for heavy and reliable use. Basically, you need to decide if you want a workhorse of a typewriter, or one that you can use every now and then but mostly admire its appearance. In other words, a typewriter from 1970 is likely better for writing a novel than a machine from the 1920's. There are many additional variables such as crinkle vs. glossy paint, metal vs. plastic body, etc. Some people don't care that much about minor things such as these, but yet some do. ​You may also take into consideration where your typewriter was manufactured. Some people tend to like European designs more than American designs, but there is a huge difference in the two pricing-wise. If you're located in Europe, European typewriters are going to be worth less (on average), and American ones are going to be worth more. If you're located in America, American typewriters are going to be worth less (on average), and European ones are going to sell for a lot more, especially older models.

1930s Remington 5 Streamline Model (American)

1930s Olivetti Rapida/MP1 (Italian)

These typewriters are relatively similar in the respect that they were made in the 1930's. Both have attractive glass keys, glossy black paint, chrome metal parts, etc. In America, the Remington pictured is worth about $600 or so. Also in America, the Olivetti pictured is worth roughly double that if the right buyer is found. ​

Also, typewriters with an interesting historical background or any cool backstory tend to be more valuable, especially if that is documented. For example, my 1942 Olympia Robust was manufactured for use by the Nazis on the battlefront, but was captured and brought home by an American soldier, J.L. Nelson (his name and army serial number are written in white paint on the bottom of the case) Having this backstory to it makes it more valuable than just having another old 1940's Olympia Robust.

- Know Where You Can Find Typewriters For Sale

Typewriters can be found in a variety of places. You can either shop in person, or online. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If you want to buy a typewriter in person, you need to shop at:

Yard/Garage Sales (Takes A LOT of patience and searching to find a typewriter but it's easy to get a good deal)

Antique Stores (Relatively easy to find typewriters, but they may be overpriced and in bad shape)

Typewriter Repair/Sales Shops (This is where you want to be ideally, but typewriter shops aren't common. You will have to pay retail or what the typewriter is worth, but you will be happy with the purchase in the end. Also, all repairs are already complete and the machine is ready to type.)

Buying a typewriter in person is great because you can personally examine the typewriter and test it out to see if you like it. The search may take a lot of time and effort however, and all that driving around costs money.

If you want to buy a typewriter online, there are a few other websites similar to this one, Typewriters 101, that buy, clean and service, and then resell typewriters to buyers. The sellers are passionate about typewriters, and know a lot about them. You will have to pay what the typewriter is worth, but the typewriter will be ready to use, and should be fully working unless mentioned otherwise. You have pictures to look at that gives you a good evaluation of cosmetic condition, but you can't actually test it yourself to see if you like the typing action. There are other online auction websites that sell typewriters, including eBay, Etsy, Goodwill, etc.These are mostly home to un-knowledgeable sellers who can barely determine if the typewriter works. However, there are a few reliable dealers who sell on both, and these dealers will be obvious to pick out from the rest (you can look into the seller's profile as well) and in those cases, the buying experience is similar to that you'd experience on a site like this one. There are many stories of typewriters being damaged in shipping from eBay buyers who didn't know how to properly pack a typewriter. No, you can't just put a typewriter in a box and ship it, but some sellers aren't aware.

- You Need To Be Able To Evaluate Condition.

When it comes to the value of a typewriter and many other antiques, condition is truly everything. Cosmetic condition and Mechanical condition are the two major components that should be evaluated. In determining cosmetic condition, you need to evaluate the paint, labels, chrome, etc. Paint, depending on the type (crinkle vs. glossy) can flake, get scratched, discolored, and peel off. Labels can fade, get rubbed off, and whiten. Metal can rust, which is a big red flag especially when there is a lot of rust. Chrome can flake and peel off, which isn't great either. A typewriter with near perfect paint, crisp labels, and shiny or non-rusted metal is what you want. Also, keep in mind that a typewriter that has a carrying case in good condition is a bonus. The latch or zipper should work and keep the case shut properly. Some older machines had leather handles. If the leather handle is still there and looks good, that's also a nice bonus. Don't be afraid to take the typewriter out of the case to get a good thorough look at it. If buying online, look at all availible pictures. If you want to see more, ask the seller for more if possible. Keep in mind that finding a typewriter that's perfect in these respects is very hard, and a perfect typewriter (mint condition) is EXTREMELY valuable. Some people claim that a typewriter with "character" and one that "shows its age" is attractive or desirable, but the sales prove that a typewriter in mint or near mint condition is really what most buyers are after, especially collectors. Mechanical condition is also crucial to those who want to use their typewriter (which is pretty much everyone.) You need to check and make sure that the typewriter you are buying works properly. There are many different functions that you should check, but as a general rule for a newbie, if buying in person, it's a good idea to bring a sheet of paper with you and test the general functions. Test every single key. Sticky keys are normal and easily fixed, but if there are sticky keys, point it out to the seller. It still takes time and effort to eliminate these, and you may not even know how to do this, so you may need to have them fixed by a repairman. Every key should strike the platen firmly and return to place quickly as to not jam things up. The printed letters may be faint meaning that the ribbon may need to be replaced, but this is not an issue at all because they are easily found for sale online, including this website. Set the margins to opposite ends and make sure the carriage operates smoothly to both opposite ends. Make sure the platen grips and feeds the paper as it should. The paper may be out of place when rolled up, which is normal. Just pull the paper release knob and adjust manually so it's aligned. It's best that you familiarize yourself with the functions of typewriters before checking one out. Sometimes you may find that certain functions are found on different places on typewriters, or they may not be present at all. Just test every single thing that you know. If the machine is in an antique store, and it's labeled, "Do not touch" or something along those lines, ignore this completely. Sounds rebellious, but it's meant to keep children away from smashing the keys and jamming them up, which I can understand. However, you have the right to give it a "test drive" and check that what you're buying isn't faulty. Most antique stores have "no return" policies, so all sales are final. If something isn't working, it will effect the value, and if it can be fixed, it costs money and time for repair. If something major is wrong with the typewriter (ex: spacebar and keys don't advance carriage = carriage string/drawband snapped) then it's best to move on unless the typewriter is perfect otherwise, which it probably isn't. If buying online, look for the words "100% working" or something similar. If you purchase the typewriter and find that something isn't working, then that's the sellers fault for falsely advertising it. Avoid "as-is" sales unless absolutely necessary, because it's nearly impossible to determine if the typewriter works whatsoever unless you can see it in person. Look for obvious things such as rust in mechanisms.​

- Make Your Final Decision.

In the end, you need to remember that it's highly unlikely that any typewriter will ever be the "perfect typewriter" for you. There are so many factors and variables involved, that you can't be too picky. You need to make the best compromise with the buying price vs. value (you don't want to get ripped off), condition, appearance, and how it types. If you plan to use the typewriter but don't like the typing action, or the "feel of the keys" on that specific typewriter, then what's the point of buying it just because it looks good?​​In the end, it's completely your choice, but I hope this page helped you in getting there and making that decision.